Rating: 
Summary: Problems with Windows XP SP2
Review: 4 stars for price, -1 star for bad Netgear driver.
I downloaded the latest 2.0.0.7 driver which supposedly fixed problems with Windows XP SP2. I could never get the card to work with only the driver installed or with both the driver and configuration utility installed. The Windows XP and Netgear configuration utilities would see my access point, but couldn't connect. I'm running the latest BIOS and drivers for my Asus motherboard.
I resorted to using the driver for the US Robotics USR5146, which uses the same chipset.
Rating: 
Summary: Beware
Review: After a considerable amount of time, I decided it was time to augment my home network with a wireless system. I decided that there was no other option than to select hardware that supported WPA encryption. The WEP encryption is very weak (I have heard that it can take less than thirty seconds to crack), and the piece of mind is well worth the extra money. The Netgear router and pc card I purchased (WGR614v4 & WG511v2 respectively) have worked flawlessly. The security upgrades to enable WPA were available on the Netgear site were easy to install, and once again - worked flawlessly. My disappointment came when I found that the pci card I purchased at the same time to use on a PC that was too difficult to wire in, was not going to work. The WG311 was supposed to have a firmware upgrade to WPA in the 'February timeframe' according to Netgear. This target has obviously come and gone. I have emailed Netgear several times, but they have not emailed back. In respect to the setup, design, functionality, and ease of use - I am impressed with most of my purchase. The unfortunate thing is that when this company fails, it does so in a big way.
Rating: 
Summary: Great Adapter! Even with Windows XP SP2
Review: I am aware of the compatibility issues that this PCI adapter has with Windows XP SP2. Like many people who has XP SP2, I also got a blue screen following Netgear's installation instruction, which is to install the utility and driver from CD before you install the hardware.
The compatibility issue originates from the utility software provided by Netgear, but not from the PCI adapter itself. However, the problem is easy to fix.
Follow step 1-7 if you have already plugged-in the hardware and receive a bluescreen after restarting Windows XP.
Follow step 3-7 is you have not begun the installation process.
1. turn off your computer and unplug the PCI adapter
2. start your computer and uninstall the Netgear utility software from Control Panel
3. insert the installation CD but do NOT install the utility and driver from the CD
4. turn off your computer and plug-in the PCI adapter again
5. start your computer and Windows XP will tell you "new hardware found"
6. follow the instruction and let Windows XP search your computer for the appropriate driver (include your CD-ROM drive). DO NOT INSTALL THE UTILITY SOFTWARE.
7. in just a few minutes, your wireless PCI adapter will be working smoothly with no problems!
Note: Windows XP's default Wireless Connection Manager is a good program, therefore, there is no need to use Netgear's utility program which has serious conflict with XP SP2.
The adapter itself is a great product. It would have received a 5 star. However, due to the faulty installation instruction and the incompatibility of Netgear's software for Windows XP SP2, it receives only 4 stars. Netgear needs to fix this problem and get rid of the incompatible utility software ASAP.
Rating: 
Summary: Beware: doesn't work with PCI 2.1 or less
Review: I bought this card to put in an existing PC, but the PC has PCI version 2.1. I could not get it to work. The computer wouldn't even boot up when the card was in, and I tried this in two very different computers. Same thing happened. Finally, after much online research, I discovered that the computer must support PCI version 2.2 and above. Since I waited to install it, I cannot return it now so I'm stuck with an unusable card.
Rating: 
Summary: Workes Great.
Review: I do not have 802.11G but I do have 802.11B I liked how this card could be used for both. Took me no longer then 10 minutes to get it up and running. It shouldn't at all if you know what your doing. Overall for the $50.00 I spend. It is well worth it.
Rating:
Summary: Easy set up, good price, works great
Review: I don't generally write reviews, but when a product is a good value, installs with ease, and works as advertised, I'm impressed.
I purchased both the Netgear 54Mbps adapter and router (see my review for the WGR614 router) to give my kids the advantage of high speed internet running off the cable unit I had installed for my home office computer. Both items were easy to install (the router set up without software off an internet site) and now provide 48-54 Mbps data transfer for the kids without the hassle of running cable.
Rating:
Summary: very very poor product support
Review: i had some difficulty getting this to work in the beginning but the product support was helpful in that they got it to work--for NO CHARGE! at least for the first 90 days. occasional dropping of connections for no reason, it has been working fine. Now i can't get connected at all but since it's been more than 90 days since i bought the product, they are asking me to pay--more than the cost of the product! of course, there is free email support which takes more than 24 hours to reply and their suggestions are not that helpful. i haven't been able to get the connection working now more than two weeks!! so, while it works, it's great. after 90 days, count on buying another one as their technical support costs more than the product.
Rating:
Summary: Couldn't be better!
Review: I just upgraded my son's PC to Dell PowerEdge 400SC. My old SMC USB adapter would not work even the Windows XP Pro says it is working fine. Since I have all Netgear stuff in my home network and work great, I looked at Netgear "stuff" first for the replacement. I wanted to try a different interface; via PCI vs. USB.After reading some mixed review on MA311 card (which I thought it was mainly installation issue or crappy mobo of no-name PCs), I gave it a shot on this card for future upgradability. since all Netgear "stuff" requires to install the drivers and utility prior to installation, I did, and wow, I thought my old SMC USB adapter was pretty good on my son's old Dell, but this card surpassed my expectation. It was picking up a couple of more my neighbors access points I didn't see before, and getting full 11MB/s connection from my MR814 with 128-bit WEP. The utility have much better interface from my MA401 cards. And this is something definitely worth the money. Being a realy picky bargain hunter, I did not mind at all for paying the full price on this card. Can't wait to find a good deal on 802.11a AP and try its full speed.
Rating:
Summary: Order the right one!
Review: I ordered the NETGEAR WGT624 Wireless Router, and this card as a PCI connection. However, the card and the router were incompatible, which was an irritating waste of my time. I saved time by going to a brick and mortar store, locating the compatible card, and buying it there. Don't misunderstand me -- it works great now, and I'm very happy with the ease of installation. I just wish someone would have warned me that not all NETGEAR products are compatible with one another, even when they are so close to being identical.
Just for the record, I ordered the WG311 54 Mbps Wireless PCI Adapter, and needed the WG311T 108 Mbps Wireless PCI Adapter.
If someone can explain why I should have known they are incompatible, other than the adapter cannot utilize the full range of the router's capability, I'd appreciate the insight.
Rating:
Summary: Poor support, unsupported drivers and freezes WIN XP
Review: I purchased the wirless g router and pci card, which all installed fairly easy. I initially (first hour or so) got a constant connection of 54mbs but then the system would freeze after about 5 minutes and I would have to power off and reboot. I tried all the pci slots updated my motherboad's drivers with no luck. I searched Netgear site for support and checked message boards. I found out that a lot of people were having similar problems so I decided to return the card and try Microsoft's pci card. WOW!!!!!! constant 54mbs connection, no pc freeze and no dropped connection.
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